Well, today was awful. My husband woke up late and couldn't stand up without holding on to something; nor could he walk without leaning on the wall or on me. My daughter fed him a bowl of cereal and left for work, and then I came into the den and he was staggering towards the DVDs bookcase. I led him to his recliner, and about a minute later, he started throwing up. I grabbed towels and a waste basket and held him until he was through. Then had to clean it and him up, strip him, walk him to the shower, bathe him, dress him and get him on the couch while I cleaned up the mess and scrubbed the recliner. I noticed that the chair he had eaten breakfast in was wet - he had lost control then, apparently. I called my daughter to come back home and help me. I also called his neurologist, who told me to take him to the ER because it sounded as if he had had a stroke. I walked him to the car and put him in the back seat with Diane and drove to the ER. They saw me struggling to get him out of the car and put his arm around my shoulder - and came out and asked if I needed a wheelchair, and I said yes. They brought one right out, took us right in a little room, and I answered all of the questions and they took us back to a room. They ran several tests including an MRI and MRA all day long and when the results were all in (at 4:30 p.m.), they said that he had had a TIA. That we should watch him in case he should have a stroke, and if he does, to bring him right back. That the neurologist would want to see him tomorrow. So, we came home, got him settled, ate dinner and I got online, and found your e-mail. I feel like I have been through the wringer! He kept trying to pull the needle out of his arm and wanted to get out of the bed. He was just like a two year old. I had my daughter come home and got the portable DVD player and his favorite movies and bring them up so we could keep him occupied in between tests! It helped. I can't believe that it is really just starting. That there is a possibility of years of this. I don't know how everyone does it. I really don't. At least we didn't get really bad news. I'm trying to put a decent spin on this, when I feel like curling into a ball and crying.
I am so sorry you had such a terrible time. If you need a good cry, have one for yourself.
I am glad you have your daughter to help you, but if things get too much, please don't hesitate to call for more help -I know many spouses try to do it on their own, but too often it is at the expense of their own health.
Let us know how you are doing, and if you need lists of resources for extra help, I have them.
Goodness Mary! I am so sorry to hear the news. I am a bit surprised they let him come home. With my first TIA I had to stay in the hospital for 72 hours, as that is the most dangerous period for a full stroke to occur. Where you able to make an appointment for him to see the neurologist tomorrow? I wish I could offer you more than my support during this difficult time. Putting a positive spin on this, well... it is hard after a day such as you have had. Such a trooper you are! Know that I am thinking of you. Please do keep us posted. ~Nikki
Mary, my Dad had a TIA and was in the same shape as your DH, plus he couldn't talk or write. He could not communicate in any way but by the next day he was much, much better. He got completely Ok and it never happened again. Hope the same holds true for you.
Mary - I do hope that you will get some much needed rest tonite & tomorrow will be a new day...each 'new day' is perhaps a different set of circumstances, and considering what you're dealing with, it definiately will be!! But remember, you can do this!! Stay strong & each day you will be given the strength you need for "that day"...praying for you...Debbie
so sorry mary you had a rough day. i know firsthand exactly what you went thru with AD in an ER. i would ask for a the smallest dose of ativan if we go back in now, as it helps him rest and less anxious. i hope DH is better todya, divvi
Thank you all for your concern! It means a lot! He was back to his "old" self last night and today. If anything, he has been a little sharper in his mind today. His eyes are clearer and his responses are better too.
Divvi, how many times have you been through the ER? I take it I can expect it to happen a few times, right???? I'll remember the ativan....does it help them stay still during the MRI??? Valium didn't!
I feel like I'm in a haze. I guess my mind is on hold - kind of I'm functioning, and trying to do too many things right now - getting estimates on painting the shutters and wrought iron on the porch; checking on the delivery of the entertainment center, Comcast coming to add more cables, the Geek squad bringing the TV and hooking them up and programming the home entertainment theater; getting my grandson here soonest; doing my job at the office; scheduling doctor's appointments; scheduling in-home care to come out until my grandson gets here; and the list goes on and on!!!!!! Normally I do that kind of thing without much thought, but now it seems to almost overwhelm me. I am afraid I'll miss something important.
But life goes on...I'm just trying to make it more pleasant for my husband, my daughter, my grandson and me for the next little while....
Thank you again for caring! I need you all so much!
Yesterday was our ER day. Still unclear what started the incident, but G was mowing the back yard and tripped/fell/whatever on a tier of railroad ties. He did a face plant in a Rhodie bush, blood everywhere. He was just angry at himself, but after trying to clean the blood up, I realized his ear was badly torn. Didn't want the ER, but I finally got him there...25 stitches and 3+ hours later his ear was reaattached and abrasions on face semi patched. He was fortunate the mower went another direction. End of lawn mowing, obviously. He commented that he has known for some time he shouldn't be using the mower! Could have been far worse, but the big question hanging there is what really happened? He says no blackout, but?
It could have been just one of those things (hopefully). The good news is that ears can heal very quickly, with little evidence of injury. My husband has had Mohs surgery on his left ear twice, with skin grafts taken from just in front of the ear, and you can't tell anything was ever done there.
Or it could be that your husband is starting to develop a new symptom. FTD patients can develop problems with motor control and balance, so safety can become an issue. Physical therapy can help with strengthening and improving balance.
Kathi, so glad it wasnt serious, i am a firm believer that once AD symptoms and dx are clear, nothing dangerous should be attempted. glad you will have someone else take over the mowing. power tools can be especially dangerous to AD men and unfortunately we will never will know exactly WHEN they lose the abilitiy to use or do anthing that could lead to danger..hope the ear heals fast, divvi
Mary, sorry just read your post, i have been to the ER just since Jan alone sometimes 2/month:) with UTI. its a constant with DH now and even on low dose of antibiotics it can still hit him unexpectedly. the ativan helped alot when they have to catheter him to relieve the bladder, not fun even without AD-so a half of a half, (such a tiny dose, and oh so powrful!)if enough to make him easy to stay in bed and thru any tests.my also tries to get up every 10sec and rips at any drips- i learned the hard way too, to keep at least one arm's hair shaved down as when they put in IV's the arm hairs gets taped and i swear its the hardest part when they rip that darn thing off -he comes unglued and cussing like a sailor. so i keep his forearms 'lightly shaved' just in case. its a constant battle with the learning curves with AD. divvi
A couple hours later, and the "incident" is showing it's havoc. He is SOOO confused, had a difficult time figuring out his morning ritual...showering, clothes etc. Now he is just lying on the bed and not really knowing why. He is embarrased at his facial abrasions and still rather bloody appearance...not his normal look, and it has truly upset him. I've told him his body just suffered a trauma, and it needs to refresh...me telling this to the dentist/ski patrol trauma trained guy!
Now I'm looking at our house of stairs and seeing all the possibilities ahead...no place on the main floor to have a bed or a bath! Last night I discovered he is still in denial about this illness. I had thought we were past that, but he can't/won't accept he is going to keep going downhill. Not going to happen to him..sound familiar?
Sunshyne, I do think you have hit it. Now, does he go back on the damned Namenda or what? I was so hoping to put that off until after our trip, but ?
Kathi, they're conducting clinical trials to determine whether namenda helps FTD, but as far as I know, they don't have any definitive results yet. In fact, I think they're all still in the recruiting stage. There have been anecdotal reports that namenda helped some FTD patients, but those may have been misdiagnosed, or had a mixed dementia syndrome, or just been different from your husband.
If the namenda is bothering him, I wouldn't use it. Just my two cents...
Re the denial ... have you read the article on anosognosia? It helps me understand why my husband is so unaware of his problems.
FYI, My husband has problems with skin cancer, so he goes to the doctor every three months for a screening. Usually they find a bunch of actinic keratoses (precancerous lesions) that have to be frozen off with liquid nitrogen. If they're on his face and leave a blister/sore, it really bothers him. Every time he looks in the mirror, he'll go storming around threatening to take care of whoever beat him up.
:-) Thanks. I just wrote a note to next door neighbors with three small children warning mom so they wouldn't freak out when they see him...does look like someone worked him over! As for the meds...quandry time.
kathi37, I'm so sorry that your husband had his accident, and what you went through and are going through dealing with him now and throughout his recovery. If there is any way to "store" the lawn mower and other power tools at someone else's house, please do so. He WILL FORGET that he is not supposed to use them, and that he had this accident! One day you could turn around and he would be back mowing, if he sees the lawn mower. Just a suggestion.
The ER is very scary for those with AD, and a nightmare for us! I'm glad that he wasn't more seriously injured!
Thanks for all inpute. We already have neighbors and SIL set to take over the mowing. Thank heavens for caring family and friends. The mower will probably take a hike.